Youth are already taking the lead

The is a New York-based NGO that has been involved in social activism since its launch in 1998

While the Caribbean Voice (TCV) leaves the debate about youth leadership in politics to others, we must point out that on the social landscape young people are stepping up and making a significant difference. For example, most of the activists in TCV are young people who fully volunteer their time, efforts and resources to ensure that our suicide and abuse prevention mission is ongoing and extensive. To this end they give their afternoons, evenings and weekends to deliver workshops, do outreaches, foster advocacy, disseminate information, enhance collaboration for social empowerment and build institutional capacity. Why did these young people choose volunteerism?

“After attending a workshop at the Diamond Food Court, I remember thinking that I want to be a part of something this phenomenal. I have learnt so much in my one year of involvement and I have recognized that volunteerism isn’t as easy as it seems, but with the TEAM we have everything is possible,” said Surendra Bipiah, a working student.

“Volunteering has helped me to grow both personally and professionally. Most importantly it helps to keep me grounded. To want to do more for others and to know you are making a difference in someone’s life is worth more than material gains. At one point I was going through a rough phase and thanks to The Caribbean Voice I was able to overcome that phase,” noted Kamene Seepaul, an accountant.

Rajkumar Khemraj, an educator, added: “I attended a workshop in August last year where I learnt a lot and was introduced to the team. I said to myself that whatever I had learnt there, I cannot keep to myself; I have to share it to others to help the people in my community and country as a whole. I want a change, that’s why I’m part of this team.’

Keshni Rooplall, community and social activist and Deputy National Coordinator of The Caribbean Voice pointed out that “Volunteering for TCV allows me to spread my wings, from helping people to developing leadership skills….one passion I have been working on is giving back to my country.”

Other young people involved with The Caribbean Voice in Guyana include, Lothoya Mckenzie (educator), Ashley Scotland (media personality), Dan Ali (medical student), Adeola Edwards-Simon (psychologist, information technologist), Sunaina Boodhoo (student), Mahendra Phagwah (social activist), Carol Ann Lovell (student), Ann-Marie Bess (trained social worker) and our newest change agents, Jenelle Evelyn and Farah Khan. The members of The Caribbean Voice are but a few of the many, many young people who are leading the charge to make a critical difference in the quality of life of Guyanese.

One such is Pandit Deodat Persaud, head, Golden Om Dharmic Youth in Canje, one the most successful youth organizations in Guyana. With Masters degree from UG, Pandit Deodat is a 2015 honoree of the El Dorado Awards and a recently appointed member of the Ethnic Relations Committee. Another is Akola Thompson, UG student, journalist and women’s and social activist. In addition to volunteering with a number of NGOs Akola has initiated the establishment of a website that allows Guyanese to confidentially report abuse and indicate what level of support they are seeking. She and her team are in the process of setting up a mechanism to facilitate the requested help.

A third is Samantha Sheoprashad, UG graduate, head of the Enterprise Youth Development Group, the 2017 Queen’s Young Leader and a 2016 honoree of the El Dorado Awards. She’s creating a mental health app that will enable users to connect with counselors and therapists and will provide tips for mental wellness. Samantha is in need of funding to complete the app and is appealing to the public to help. She can be reached at 653-1567 or 643-3119. Samantha is one of a number of Guyanese youth taking the lead in apps creation to connect Guyanese everywhere with access to services at their fingertips, saving time, money and headache. App creation is time consuming, challenging and expensive. Thus TCV sincerely hopes that all these young people will be assisted to bring their creations to fruition and easily accessible to citizens across Guyana.

Then there is Marva Langevine, 2018 Queen’s Young Leader, founder of the Guyana Golden Lives Organization, which provides financial and psychosocial support services for bereaved children, job opportunities for widows, and food hampers and building materials for low-income families. She has created Camp Golden for bereaved young people, which provides counseling, food, shelter and educational opportunities. Marva is also a founding member of Den-Amstel Dynamic Network, a youth group focused on restoring the cultural art forms for which her home village of Den-Amstel was once famous.

In focusing on the leadership role undertaken by youth in volunteerism, we also suggest that all secondary